Disconecting switch with operating mechanism



May 29, 1956 J. B. OWENS DISCONNECTING SWITCH WITH OPERATING MECHANISMFiled Oct. 21, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l s Rm W .0 mam \t M MW J. B. OWENSMay 29, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed 001.. 21, 1952 mm 1 I .qn n

m u AmW H if? 0 h 1.... II Ii 9 N m: m \m. 2 U 44F mm mm mm 3 \L Q QIll! ,\|l1 mm mm INVEN TOR James B.Owens.

ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

J. B. OWENS May 29, 1956 DISCONNECTING SWITCH WITH OPERATING MECHANISM 4Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 21, 1952 INVENTOR WITNESSES:

domes B.Owens. BY

ATTORNEY May 29, 1956 J. B. OWEN-S 2,748,213

I DISCONNECTING SWITCH WITH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 21, 1952 4Sheets-Sheet 4 klgill li WITNESSES:

5%747f/ James BOwens ATTORNEY INVENTOR United States PatentDISCONNEfITWG SWITCH WITH OPERATWG MECHANESM James B. (bwens, EastMcKeesport, Pan, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, EastPittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 21,1952, Serial No. 316,043

7 Claims. (Cl. zen-4s My invention relates, generally, to disconnectingswitches having mechanisms for operating them from the ground and, moreparticularly, to mechanisms for operating disconnecting switches of theoutdoor type which are mounted at a height such as on a pole top.

Outdoor switches are usually mounted on a structure which supports themnear the level of the transmission or distribution circuit conductors,safely out of reach from the ground. Many such switches are providedwith a mechanism to enable operation of the switch by means of a handlenear the ground. Such mechanisms are usually arranged to gang operatetwo or more switch or pole units to accomplish simultaneous switching ofconductors in single and polyphase circuits.

In an outdoor switch construction of one type the motion of the remoteoperating mechanism is transmitted to the electrically energizedportions of the switch through a rotating insulator column. In such aconstruction either one of two insulators may be rotated to actuate theswitch blade.

In one type of switch, the end insulator is rotated to actuate theswitch blade. The rotating insulator is connected to the switch bladethrough a three-part linkage which opens the blade as the insulator isrotated. In this construction the driving linkage is mounted on the topof the switch where it may become covered with ice which interferes withthe operation of the switch.

In another type of switch the center insulator is rotated to actuate theswitch blade. This construction permits a more direct connection betweenthe rotating insulator and the blade and eliminates the exposed linkagewhich might collect ice. However, rotating the center insulatorcomplicates the problem of connecting the operating mechanism to thedriving insulator when three switches are mounted on a single woodenpole having crossarms secured thereto.

It will be seen that if three switches are mounted on the pole structurein balanced relation, the rotating insulator of the center switch issubstantially above the pole or crossarm so that a shaft cannot bebrought directly down the pole from under the center insulator to theoperating handle. The center switch may be shifted to one side to permitthe use of a straight operating shaft. However, this places anunbalanced mechanical load on the crossarms and pole, and detracts fromthe appearance of the installation.

Another possible solution of the problem is to balance the threeswitches on the pole and drive one of the insulators of one of theoutside pole units through a pair of universal joints in the drivingshaft to obtain the necessary offset. The universal joints are expensiveand have an internal friction which increases the effort required tooperate the switch. Thus, the problem has not heretofore been entirelysatisfactorily solved.

An object of my invention, generally stated, is to provide a switchoperating mechanism which shall be simple and eflicient in operation andwhich may be economically manufactured and installed.

ice

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a mechanism foroperating three disconnecting switches of the rotating center insulatortype which are mounted in balanced relation on a pole structure.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch operatingmechanism which is protected from the weather and cannot accumulate ice.

A further object of my invention is to provide for driving the switchoperating mechanism by a straight shaft mounted on the pole whichsupports the switch structure.

Other objects of my invention will be explained fully hereinafter orwill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, three disconnectingswitches or pole units of the rotating center insulator type are mountedin balanced relation on a pole and supporting structure. The rotatinginsulator of the center pole unit is driven by a linkage disposedunderneath the channel base for that unit. The linkage is connected to acrank arm on a shaft mounted in an auxiliary bearing under the endinsulator. This shaft is, in turn, connected to a vertical shaft drivenby an operating handle. The vertical shaft is supported by bearingbrackets attached to the pole. The rotating insulator of the center unitis connected to the rotating insulators of the two outer units by asuitable linkage.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference may be, had to the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a switch structure embodying theprincipal features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, in side elevation, of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view, in end elevation, of the structure;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view, in bottom plan, of the connecting linkagefor the operating mechanism, and

Fig. 5 is a view, in section, taken along the line VV of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings and particularly, to Figs. 1 and 2, thestructure shown therein comprises three disconnecting switch or poleunits 10 which are mounted upon a supporting framework 11 insubstantially equally spaced relation. Each disconnecting switch unitmay be of the type described in Patent 2,363,360, issued November 21,1944, to H. L. Rawlins and assigned to the same assignee as thisapplication.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 3 each switch unit structure comprisesthree spaced insulator stacks 12, 13 and 14 which are mounted upon abase 15. The base 15 is preferably a metal channel having angle members16 secured to the sides of'the channel. Each insulator stack comprisesinsulators 17 which are preferably composed of porcelain or some similarmaterial. It will be understood that the number of insulators requiredin each stack depends upon the voltage of the system in which the switchstructure is utilized. The stacks 12 and 14- are mounted upon fixedpedestals 18 which may be secured to the top of the base 15. The stack13 is mounted upon a shaft 19 which is rotatably mounted in a housing 21which is secured to the base 15.

An insulator bracing member and blade support 22 spans the insulatorstacks 13 and 14. A housing 23 is pivotally mounted on the support 22 bymeans of pivot 24. As described in the aforesaid patent, a disconnectingswitch blade 25 may be actuated into and out of engagement with spacedcontact jaws 26 by rotating the insulator stack 13 in a manner whichwill be described more fully hereinafter. The insulator stacks 13 forthe three switch units are connected together for simultaneous operationby tie rods 28 which are connected to lever arms 29, one

of which is secured to the base of each one of the rotating insulatorstacks 13.

As shown, the supporting framework 11 comprises cross members 31 whichare attached to a vertical pole 32 and longitudinal members 33 which aresecured to the ends of the cross members 31. Angularly disposed braces34 may be attached to the pole 32 and the framework 11 in the mannershown to strengthen the supporting structure.

As shown in Fig. 1 when the three switch units are mounted in balancedrelation on the framework 11, the rotating insulator 13 for the centerswitch unit is disposed substantially directly above the pole 32,thereby making it impossible to connect an operating shaft 35 directlyto the lower end of shaft 19 for the rotating insulator 13 of the centerswitch unit. As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the shaft 35 is supportedby brackets 36 and 37 which are attached to the pole 32. The shaft 35may be rotated by a handle 38 which is pivotally attached to the shaft35. The handle 38 may be locked in either the open or the closedposition of the switch units by means of a padlock (not shown) which maybe inserted into locking members 39 secured to the bracket 37.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, the operating shaft 35 isconnected to a stub shaft 41 which is mounted in a bearing housing 42disposed underneath the base 18 for the end insulator unit 14 of thecenter switch unit. The stub shaft 41 drives a crank arm 43 which issecured to the shaft 41 by means of a pin 44 which extends through theshafts 35 and 41 and a sleeve 45 to which the crank arm 43 is secured.The crank arm 43 is connected to a similar crank arm 46 by means of atie bar 47. The crank arm 46 is secured to a sleeve 48 which in turn issecured to the shaft 19 by means of a pin 49. Thus the shaft 19 isdriven by the operating shaft 35 through the connecting linkage, therebyoperating the switch units 10.

Since the connecting linkage is disposed underneath the channel shapedbase 15, it is shielded from the weather, and ice cannot accumulate onthe linkage to interfere with the operation of the mechanism.Furthermore, the switch units may be mounted upon the supportingstructure in balanced relation and the vertically disposed operatingshaft 35 may be supported from the pole 32 in the most simple manner.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that I have provided amechanism for operating disconnecting switch units of the centerrotating insulator type. The present mechanism permits three switchunits to be mounted in balanced relation on a supporting frameworkwhich, in turn, is mounted upon a single vertically disposed pole,thereby equally distributing the load upon the supporting framework. Thepresent mechanism is simple in structure and operates with a minimumamount of friction in the moving parts.

Since numerous changes may be made in the abovedescribed construction,and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a switch structure for mounting on a vertical pole at the top ofthe pole, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a centrallydisposed cross member for attaching to the pole and longitudinal membersattached to the cross member, three switch units mounted on the frame insubstantially equally spaced relation, each switch unit having threeinsulators mounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator of eachunit being rotatable for actuating the switch, tie rods connecting therotatable insulators of the outer units with the rotatable insulator ofthe center unit, a shaft for mounting vertically on the pole to drivesaid insulators, said shaft being otfset from the rotatable insulator ofthe center switch unit to be underneath and substantially in alignmentwith one of the end insulators of the center switch unit, a first crankarm driven by the shaft, a second crank arm secured to the rotatableinsulator of the center switch unit, bearing means in the base of thecenter switch unit for said crank arms, the bearing means for the firstcrank arm being underneath the end insulator of the center switch unit,the bearing means for the second crank arm being underneath therotatable insulator of the center switch unit, and a tie bar connectingsaid crank arms, said crank arms and said tie bar being underneath thebase of the center switch unit.

2. In a switch structure for mounting on a vertical pole at the top ofthe pole, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a centrallydisposed cross member for attaching to the pole and longitudinal membersattached to the cross member, three switch units mounted in the frame insubstantially equally spaced relation, the center switch unit beingdisposed over said pole, each switch unit having three insulatorsmounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator of each unit beingrotatable for actuating the switch, tie rods connecting the rotatableinsulators of the outer units with the rotatable insulator of the centerunit, the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit having a shaftextending through the base for the center unit, bearing means for saidshaft in said base underneath the rotatable insulator for the centerunit, a shaft for mouting vertically on the pole to drive saidinsulators, said vertical shaft being offset from the rotatableinsulator of the center switch unit to be underneath and substantiallyin alignment with one of the end insulators of the center switch unit,and a linkage mechanism disposed underneath the base of the centerswitch unit for connecting said vertical shaft to the shaft of therotatable insulator of said center switch unit.

3. In a switch structure for mounting on a vertical pole at the top ofthe pole, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a centrallydisposed cross member for attaching to the pole and longitudinal membersattached to the cross member, three switch units mounted in the frame insubstantially equally spaced relation, the center switch unit beingdisposed over said pole, each switch unit having three insulatorsmounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator of each unit beingrotatable for actuating the switch, tie rods connecting the rotatableinsulators of the outer units with the rotatable insulator of the centerunit, the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit having a shaftextending through the base for the center unit, bearing means for saidshaft in said base underneath the rotatable insulator for the centerunit, a shaft for mounting vertically on the pole to drive saidinsulators, said vertical shaft being offset from the rotatableinsulator of the center switch unit to be underneath and substantiallyin alignment with one of the end insulators of the center switch unit, astub shaft rotatably mounted in the base of the center switch unit,bearing means for said stub shaft in said base underneath said endinsulator for the center switch unit, said stub shaft being coaxial withand connected-to the vertical shaft, and a linkage mechanism disposedunderneath the base of the center switch unit for connecting said stubshaft to the shaft of the rotatable insulator of said center switchunit.

4. In a switch structure for mounting on a vertical pole at the top ofthe pole, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a centrallydisposed cross member for attaching to the pole and longitudinal membersattached tov the cross member, three switch units mounted in the framein substantially equally spaced relation, the center switch unit beingdisposed over said pole, each switch unit having three insulatorsmounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator of each unit beingrotatable for actuating the switch, tie rods connecting the rotatable insulators of the outer units with the rotatable insulator of the centerunit, the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit having a shaftextending through the base for the center unit, bearing means for saidshaft in said base underneath the rotatable insulator for the centerunit, a shaft for mounting vertically on the pole to drive saidinsulators, said vertical shaft being offset from the rotatableinsulator of the center switch unit to be underneath and substantially.in alignment with one of the end insulators of the center switch unit,a stub shaft rotatably mounted in the base of the center switch unit,bearing means for said stub shaft in said base undernea'th said endinsulator for the center switch unit, said stub shaft being coaxial withand connected to the vertical shaft, a linkage mechanism disposedunderneath the base of the center switch unit for connecting said stubshaft :to the shaft of the rotatable insulator of said center switchunit, and a manually operable handle for rotating said vertical shaft.

5. In a switch structure for mounting on a vertical pole at the top ofthe pole, in combination, a supporting frame comprising a centrallydisposed cross member for attaching to the pole and longitudinal membersattached to the cross member, three switch units mounted in the frame insubstantially equally spaced relation, the center switch unit beingdisposed over said pole, each switch unit having three insulatorsmounted on a common base, the intermediate insulator of each unit beingrotatable for actuating the switch tie rods connecting the rotatableinsulators of the outer units with the rotatable insulator of the centerunit, the rotatable insulator of the center switch unit having a shaftextending through the base for the center unit, bearing means for saidshaft in said base underneath the rotatable insulator for the centerunit, a shaft for mounting vertically on the pole :to drive saidinsulators, said vertical shaft being offset from the rotatableinsulator of the center switch unit to be underneath and substantiallyin alignment with one of the end insulators of the center switch unit, astub sh aft rotatably mounted in the base of the center switch unit,bearing means for said stub shaft in said base underneath said endinsulator for the center switch unit, said stub shaft being coaxial withand connected to the vertical shaft, a crank arm secured to the stubshaft, another crank arm secured to the shaft of the rotatable insulatorof the center switch unit, and a tie bar connecting said crank arms,said crank arms and said tie bar being disposed underneath the base ofthe center switch unit.

6. in :a switch unit having three insulators mounted on a common base,the intermediate insulator being rotatable for actuating the switch andhaving a shaft extending through said base, bearing means for said shaftin said base underneath the rotatable insulator, a vertically disposedshaft for driving said insulator, said vertical shaft being offset fromthe rotatable insulator to be underneath and substantially in alignmentwith one of the end insulators of the switch unit, a stub shaftrota-tably mounted in the base of the switch unit, bearing means forsaid stub shaft in said base underneath said end insulator, said stubshaft being coaxial with and conneoted to the vertical shaft, and alinkage mechanism disposed underneath the base of the switch unit forconnecting said stub shaft to the shaft of the rotatable insulator.

7. In a switch unit having three insulators mounted on a common base,the intermediate insulator being rotatable for actuating the switch andhaving a shaft extending through said base, bearing means for said shaftin said base underneath the rotatable insulator, a vertically disposedshaft for driving said insulator, said vertical shaft being offset fromthe rotatable insulaitor to be underneath and substantially in alignmentwith one of the end insulators of the switch unit, a stub shaft r0-=tatably mounted in the base of the switch unit, bearing means for saidstub shaft in said base underneath said end insulator, said stub shaftbeing coaxial with and connected to the vertical shaft, a crank armsecured to the stub shaft, another crank arm secured to the shaft of therotatable insulator underneath said base, and a tie bar connecting said.crank arms, said crank arms and said tie bar being disposed underneaththe base of the switch unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,275,919 Hewlett Aug. 13, 1918 2,514,263 Seaman et val July 4, 19502,527,924- Fjellstcdt et a1 Oct. 31, 1950 2,560,472 Pollock et al. July10, 1951

